Year-round essentials
- Comfortable walking shoes — you will walk more than expected, including up to Namsan and around markets; also easy to slip on and off, since floor seating is common in traditional restaurants.
- A slim daypack — for carrying water, a portable charger, and the day's shopping without committing to a full backpack.
- Portable phone charger — a long day of maps, translation apps, and photos drains batteries fast.
- Socks without holes — genuinely worth mentioning, given how often shoes come off indoors.
Spring & autumn (see our best time to visit guide)
Layers are the whole strategy — mornings and evenings can be notably cooler than midday. A light jacket that packs down small is more useful than a heavy coat in either season.
Summer
Breathable, quick-dry clothing, a compact umbrella (monsoon season is genuinely wet, not just occasional showers), and sunscreen — humidity makes the heat feel more intense than the temperature alone suggests.
Winter
A proper insulated coat, not just layers — Seoul winters get genuinely cold, especially with wind. Thermal base layers make a bigger difference than most first-time visitors expect, along with gloves and a hat for extended outdoor time at palaces or markets.
Tip: Leave room in your bag for the trip home — skincare and clothing shopping (see our souvenirs guide) fills suitcases fast.